The holiday season is well on it’s way! I think I’m more on the ball with Christmas shopping than ever and it’s still November. Which brings me to, it’s still November! Which means it’s still Fall.

Is it just me or does hype for everything start a little earlier each year?!

It seems everyone is ready to jump in to Fall early August, with over a month left of actual Summer season. Then everyone is ready for Christmas as soon as Halloween ends. It’s great to look forward to things, I’m certainly getting in to the holiday spirit, but I think it takes away from the present moment. We’re so busy worried about what’s next that we’re done with what IS while it’s happening!

So, even though the land of Instagram is moving on from pumpkin errrythang,. I'm playing catch up on all our Fall festive fun!

At the end of August I took a social media break. Partly to be more present for those present moments. To soak up the transitions of my girls starting school and unplug from everyone else’s “noise.”

It was honestly freeing. Part of me didn’t even want to plug back in... but social media is a blessing in many other ways to plug in to the things we *want* to plug in to! So here I am, back again.

Some of you might appreciate a catch up on snippets of the fun we were up to during that time. And it’s helpful for me to journal some of our happenings to document that season and welcome what’s next!​

Halle started Kindergarten! Our school’s program is only half day and she goes in the afternoon. It’s been a big change for her but she loves it. I can’t believe how much she has grown in just a couple months!

Autumn also started Preschool this year before going to Kinder next year. She is going two afternoons a week and loves it!

This gives me a (super quick) window of time to spend one on one with Jordan or sometimes a day date with Matthew, when he’s off. The girls miss having “built in” friends everyday like they did with my dayhome so they enjoy socializing at school. And this time is much appreciated by me to get things done or simply relax.​

My sister came to visit us during September. This was her first time meeting Jordan. It was great to have her here while Matthew was away to help me with the transition in to school drop offs. It’s a lot of going and I haven’t had to experience that yet...

It was great to simply catch up and we took in some sights around the city! Although early Fall was much colder than as of late. We went to Granary Road and the Calgary Corn Maze.​

Next up was Autumn and Matthew’s birthdays! Year 4 and 30! Autumn hosted her first big kid birthday party at our house. We had some animal activities, old school party games and a glow dance party - cause who doesn’t love that! For Matthew’s, a crowd of us went to a Calgary Hitmen game.

My dad was able to make a quick weekend visit then too! We always enjoy any time we can spend with grandparents.​

October brought us more visits to the Corn Maze. And, luckily, more sunshine too! We love spending the afternoons there. We love the mini doughnuts too ;)

Surprisingly, this was our first year actually carving pumpkins with the kids. Other years we’ve just used them as decor or painted and decorated them. It was fun to do this together this year. And I loved having the pumpkin seeds to roast and add to oatmeal and salads :)​

This Fall Autumn is taking ballet and Halle joined Sparks. Halle really enjoyed her day camp in October! We made an adventure out of that day by heading to the mountains to hike Johnston Canyon.

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! The girls both had parties at school and it’s always special to celebrate another baby’s “first.” The weather was great for trick or treating and the girls went farther than ever before! We also started a new tradition of having a campfire in our driveway. I handed out treats there and hung out with neighbours and friends. It was better than driving our dogs bonkers and juggling a baby back and forth to the door.​

In other Fall news, the season brought lots of fresh air fun and times spent as a family and with friends. The girls and I also joined a mommy group and have enjoyed connecting with new families through school.

As shared in my last post, I still have big dreams for this space. While sometimes I think I talk a big talk (and don’t take that action) it comes down to a priority struggle for me sometimes. After all, the time being present and the times you see in those photos is what it’s all about. If I can swing doing extra on the side to make my soul happy then that’s just icing on the cake!

One thing I did change up, in a surprising way, was jump back in to designing Keep Collective. There’s a lot more I’d like to share about this but for now it’s just something fun for me! A way to be creative, design reminders of what matters most and help spread some happy with others. And I’ve got big plans on how I want to weave all my dreams together and be more fearless when it comes to doing the things I want that bring me joy!

In saying that, I hope these photos spread some joy to you. I hope Fall was filled with many happy memories for you and yours. I hope you took time to unplug and be present. And, if you didn’t, try it this season. It will be even better during the “most wonderful time of the year!”

Thanks, as always, for reading and following along with our growing family! XO

]]>Sun, 28 Oct 2018 16:49:38 GMThttp://www.funtimefamfit.com/blog/on-my-mama-heart​When I was pregnant with Jordan I became so clear on what I wanted for my future. As I was growing my baby I was growing myself. I was preparing for a rebirth of sorts. It was as though I was unlocking my true self. Clear on who I was in the moment, in my role as mama, but also ready to live out my dreams that extend beyond motherhood. I was consistently journaling, pushing my comfort zone and manifesting baby steps towards the things I wanted in life. It was really cool.

Then Jordan was born. His birth gave me an overwhelming joy and peace towards this new chapter. I was ready. I was confident in my mama skills and determined to "make best use" of my maternity time... that is to say, this was 'my chance!' The time when I'm not working a formal job and plan to turn my hobbies and passions in to something more.

To write more and grow this blog...

To share my favourite wellness tools...

To create community for mamas...

To inspire others to design a life they love...

The list goes on. In fact I have a whole journal full of ideas to prove it.

But then it hit me. Not in an I'm-being-hard -on-myself kinda way, cause we all know mothering ain't easy... Especially with a newborn, two big sisters, two big dogs, family away, LIFE...

It was overwhelm, anxiety, sadness, rage...

Like a failure in one of my biggest roles: mama.

I was so clear on my hopes, but I felt oh so lost.

Days became one at a time, seeking joy in the little moments and trying to simply focus on my kids.

I thought maybe this is the season to just be there for them. If I get better at being the mom I "used to be," (the confident, calm one,) then maybe I would find my groove again and get back to my goals. Or, maybe just really love on my kids and put my dreams aside.

And, don't get me wrong, the last five months (yep, he's 5 months!) have been filled with so many wonderful moments and memories. And I know there's no such thing as the mom I used to be - it's still me! - but that's how it's felt. I'm pushing the guilt down as I type because deep down I know I'm an awesome mom. (See THIS post <3) I know the fun we've had and I know these times, easy and hard, were ALL worth it. I know now these moments are just the past... and the future is bright.

But what happened in the last few months was me losing the habits that had lead me to be that higher version of myself.

My exercising slowed down. My eating wasn't as healthy. I stopped using my oils and supplements consistently. My journal wasn't being filled nearly as often. I simply didn't make the time for the things that helped me feel my best. And on top of it, was doubting my skills as a mama, the thing that has been my biggest role in the last five years...

How could I be the best version of me?

I know what you'll say. If you're reading this, chances are you're telling me it's okay. You might say you're doing great - you have a new baby! Your kids are what's important right now.

You, my friend, are very kind.

But would you be as kind to yourself?

Would you give YOURSELF that grace?

Maybe you've found yourself in similar situations where you feel limited and you're faced with hard thoughts like mine. Times where you want more for your life. Times where you just feel stuck where you are.

Feeling stuck makes it hard to know where to start sometimes.

It brings added negative emotions simply choosing to stay stuck.

It's been hard for me to just write something even though I know I want to. That doesn't even make sense!!! How can it be hard to something you want to do?! But it happens! ALL. The. Time. With everything in our life.

How come it was so hard to start exercising again when it's something I loved and helped me FEEL so good?

It all starts with the choice. It all starts with a step.

It was time to get out of my head, out of my own way, and overanalyzing of the season I'm in, and just start a new one!

The days might not all go as I hope, or plan, but with vision and faith for what I want them to be, I believe I can find myself back at that place I was when I was pregnant.

Actually, it won't be back there, it will be better.It will be more.

Because all that life is really about is growing. Every moment is experience.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

I think I just came up with my new mantra for this phase. It's all good...

Today I’m sharing our summer live list. Lots of things we plan (or have already checked off) to do around Calgary. Plus seasonal things you could do anywhere!

This summer has been much different than 2017. Last year brought us tons of adventure. We camped nearly every weekend Matthew was home plus some longer trips and a vacation home to Newfoundland. Weekends were all the sweeter for exploring our city with the girls because I was working full time. My dayhome was more fun during summer too because of all our extra outdoor time.

This year we haven’t done any camping and I’m really missing it. With Jordan born the end of May and nothing in the books we just haven’t gotten our trailer out this season. Instead we are back to days filled with outside time and going places to keep out of the house (read: for me to stay sane.) And of course to make wonderful memories.​

Here’s a peek in to our adventures!

X As many beach days at the lake as we can get :)

Lake events:

Stampede Breakfast

Duck Race (Funny or not so funny story... I mixed up the dates/times for both those events #momfail)

Movie in the Park

XCanada Day at Spruce Meadows

Inglewood Night Market (July 13)

XBaby Group with Sam the Mama Coach (Friday’s 9-11 at Auburn Bay Co-op Community Room)

X Bragg Creek Days (July 21-22)

XWater Festival in Chestermere (July 28)

Inglewood Sunfest (August 4)

Sweet Summer Corn Festival (August 11 at Calgary Corn Maze)

Globalfest Fireworks (August 16-25)

Mommy Connections Teddy Bear Picnic (August 24)

Konmari event (August 26)

SUP / Born to be Adventurous Mama Meet Ups

Movies at the Meadows (Wednesday’s in August at Spruce Meadows

​

​

Granary Road

Visit City of Calgary Pools / Splash Pads

X Ogden

X Okotoks Spray Park

XSomerset Splash Pad

X Ralph Klein Natural Playground

U-pick Farm Berry Picking

Iron Horse Park

Calaway Park

X Calgary Zoo

XExplore Neighbourhood Playgrounds (Maybe I’ll do another post with some of our favourites. Calgary Playground Review is a s great resource!)

​​​

Plan TIU Meet Up

XHot Mama Health and Fitness Postpartum Classes

X Watch Daddy’s Softball Games

XDrop in Play Gym at Remington YMCA

Play at Calgary Public Library

XQuarry Park

Fish Creek

See Hotel Transylvania 3 in Theatres

Go for Ice Cream @

XXO Ice Cream & Waffles​

Village Ice Cream

Hikes with kids

XForgetmenot Pond

Elbow Falls

Johnson Canyon

X Backyard Slip and Slide

Trail Walks and Bike Rides

X Fish Creek Park

Road Trip to Edmonton

XTent in the Backyard

Calgary Farmers Market

Decorate front porch

Find food trucks

The list continues to grow but that’s what we’ve got for now. We always make time for spontaneous fun too!

I feel lucky to live in a city with so many amenities and fun events. And to have such a beautiful “backyard” to explore.

If you’re reading from away, let this inspire you to seek out events in your town. Summer time is filled with festivals and markets. Social media makes it easy to discover new things or community groups. Days with kids are made exciting simply by packing up a picnic and heading to a park in a new neighbourhood. I know for us, being outside and “exploring” makes our day 1000X better!

If you have any fun recommendations for us with a newborn in tow, leave them in the comments :)